Small ball builds big global bonds

The gentle tap of little white balls drifts through the air, a familiar rhythm that has shaped champions and quietly woven friendships. This is the Hebei Zhengding National Table Tennis Training Base, long cherished as the "cradle of world champions". And today, it is breathing new life into a tradition as timeless as the sport itself — using a small ball to bring the world a little closer, one rally at a time.

Spanning over 2.3 hectares, the base boasts four high-standard training venues, a fitness gym, and a 400-meter track, accommodating 150 tables simultaneously. Yet what truly sets it apart, as the base's director Zhang Shushan said, is the familial atmosphere.

"We provide a full range of services, from accommodation and dining to training. The service support is among the best nationwide, which is why China's national teams and foreign athletes love coming here," he said.

Currently, more than 70 overseas players from seven countries are training alongside their Chinese peers, with stays ranging from weeks to months.

For Vinagradov Dmitrii, a member of the Russian national team, this is his fifth visit since 2023.

"China is a table tennis powerhouse. Training here is highly organized and disciplined, and the coaches are top-notch — they help with everything from daily life to technique," he said.

The tailored programs, including specialized fitness coaching, paid off. In May, Dmitrii clinched bronze in men's singles at the Russian national championships.

In April, the base staged a commemorative event marking the 55th anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy between China and the United States. It welcomed Ping-Pong Diplomacy veterans and more than 200 young athletes and sports administrators from the US, all gathering to honor the spirit of people-to-people exchange that helped bridge two nations.

The historic gesture was between two nations, but the philosophy it planted — that a simple game helps to dismantle walls — has since taken root far beyond.

At the base today, that philosophy plays out daily among paddlers from countries including Russia, Malaysia, and beyond.

That spirit lives on in today's athletes. "I learned from the exhibition hall here that ping-pong opened US-China diplomacy. Through this sport, I've made many foreign friends — and the friends you make at this base are friends for life," Dmitrii added.

Chinese athletes also echo these sentiments. Yang Junxi, a national first-class table tennis athlete from Anhui province, said he had the opportunity to train alongside young players from many different countries, including Canada, Russia, Australia and Germany.

"It was a truly valuable cross-cultural experience. We would often analyze each other's playing style, point out weaknesses, and work together to find solutions in real time. This kind of open, friendly exchange — sharing techniques and learning from one another — is exactly what youth sports exchanges are all about."

Newcomers also find their place here.

Pang Xiang Jun, an 18-year-old Malaysian national team player, is experiencing the base for the first time, on a 53-day training camp that began on June 6.

"Before I came, I imagined it would be intense — a gathering of top players from many countries, with elite coaches," he said.

Reality surpassed his imagination. On his first day, he struggled to keep up with the coach's pace on serves and the fitness drills. "I realized there are always stronger athletes. The pressure here is invisible but makes every rally more focused."

The training has brought drastic improvements in his chopping rhythm and footwork, and he has picked up new warm-up routines from Chinese teammates.

In turn, he shared his backhand chopping variations — a cross-cultural exchange that happens naturally between rallies.

What touched Pang most was the spontaneous friendship. "After one session, players from different countries stayed to practice serves together. We used simple English, gestures, and even drew on the field with our fingers. Though we speak different languages, we share a love for table tennis — so understanding comes naturally."

He believes this is modern-day ping-pong diplomacy in action. "A high-five, a smile, discussing a technique — that's enough to build friendship. This sport transcends language and culture."

As Pang puts it, addressing young players back home: "Table tennis opens doors — not just to better competition, but to friendship, cultural exchange, and a wider world."

wangsongsong@chinadaily.com.cn